Internet Gambling CEO Arrested by FBI

tightpoker writes to mention the news that several key individuals associated with online gambling site BetonSports have been indicted in a Missouri courtroom. Founder Stephen Kaplan, CEO David Carruthers, 9 other people and four corporations have been charged with crimes ranging from racketeering to fraud. The Sunday Time reports on the story as well, addressing fears this may be a prelude to a crackdown on all online gambling by U.S. law enforcement. From the article: "Nigel Parson, leisure analyst at Williams de Broë, said the move would 'throw online gambling stocks into a spin,' adding: 'David Carruthers is a prominent advocate of online gambling. The fear that this is an escalation of the anti-lobby will trouble markets.' Greg Harris, an analyst at Cannacord, said: 'It is too early to say if this is part of a broader strategy on prevention of internet gambling in the U.S. or if it is the Department of Justice flexing their muscles and trying to influence legislation.'"

Comments

Watch the share price fall

[jonv]

BBC article here

Re:offtopic?

[Rob T Firefly]

Of course, I did not read the article, but it seems as though these guys were bad guys and got caught for it. So, my thoughts are, gambling is bad m'kay. Getting arrested by the FBI when your being bad is bad m'kay. My rights do not appear to be violated and this does not seem like a controversial YRO article m'kay.

I personally don't much like gambling, but as I see it this does apply to your rights online in that the crackdown on online gambling is defining a couple of rights you do or don't have. Is it or is it not illegal to run a gambling site out of this country? Is it or is it not illegal to use one, even if it's based somewhere that has no problem with it? If gambling is legal in Las Vegas, should I be able to set up a server there and run web casinos off it? Or can I patronize an offshore gambling site if I'm sitting at my PC in Atlantic City? Decisions are being made and precedents are being set which further delineate just what rights we do have online.

Re:Why was he in the US?

[ptbarnett]

I thought most executives of gambling sites lived outside of the U.S. to avoid this very problem.

RTFA (and the moderator that marked your posting insightful should do the same).

Carruthers was arrested by FBI agents in Dallas on Sunday afternoon as he was returning to his home in Costa Rica from a trip to the United Kingdom.

Re:It's only a matter of time

[Tx]

Searching google for "bible gambling", the first hit gives us this:

Question: "What does the Bible say about gambling? Is gambling a sin?"

Answer: Gambling can be defined as "risking money in an attempt to multiply the money on something that is against the odds." The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches.

Re:It's only a matter of time

[bradr98]

David is not, was not, never has been a US Citizen. He is a UK Citizen. Others named in the Indictment are US citizens